Saudi Arabia has won the Chairmanship of the Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization’s (ALESCO) Executive Council between 2021 and 2023 after its representative, Executive Council Member Hani al-Muqbil received the majority of votes, with 21 Arab countries taking part.
Minister of Culture and Chairman of the Saudi National Commission for Education, Culture and Science, Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan said that winning the chairmanship of the Executive Council confirms Saudi Arabia’s regional and global leadership in developing education, science and culture in order to achieve collective action and strengthen the ties between ALECSO’s member states to advance culture, education and science.
Al-Muqbil was appointed Saudi Arabia’s representative to ALESCO in July 2020 and had worked as executive director of the King Salman Youth Center between 2014 and 2017, subsequently becoming a member of its board of directors.
He worked as an adviser to the secretary-general of the Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Foundation (MiSK), where he is a member of several boards and has played key roles in the Foundation since its establishment.
Established through the ratification of Article 3 of the Arab Cultural Unity Charter by an announcement made in Cairo on 25 July 1970, ALESCO is considered among the most prestigious organizations affiliated with the Arab League. It is tasked with supporting Arab culture and developing education, culture and science at the regional and national level, as well as facilitating mutual coordination between Arab member states.
The Organization also oversees an array of research and training centers, most prominently the Institute of Arab Research and Studies, the Arabization Coordination Bureau and the Arab Center for Arabization, Translation, Authorship and Publication.
